Tanzania's Amsons Group launches Sh23.1b bid to acquire Bamburi cement

Business
By Brian Ngugi | Jul 11, 2024
Bamburi Cement trucks collect cement from a Silo storage facility in Industrial Area, Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Tanzania's leading manufacturing and energy giant, Amsons Group, has issued a binding offer to acquire up to a 100 per cent stake in Kenya's Bamburi Cement PLC for a total sum of Sh23.1 billion.

Amsons, through its Kenyan subsidiary Amsons Industries (K) Ltd, has issued a notice of intention to launch a public takeover offer to acquire up to 100 per cent of Bamburi's shares at 65 Kenyan shillings per share.

"We have great plans to deepen our investment in Kenya and in Bamburi," said Amsons Group Managing Director Edha Nahdi in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.

"The proposed cross-border acquisition will further strengthen our position in the East African cement sector as part of our regional economic development and market integration strategy."

Amsons, a family-owned business founded in 2006, has diversified from its roots in bulk oil and petroleum products to become a manufacturing and energy conglomerate with over $1 billion in annual revenue. Its cement operations include a 6,000 metric tonnes/day facility and the recently acquired Mbeya Cement in Tanzania.

The acquisition of Bamburi would mark Amsons' formal entry into the Kenyan market, where the group plans to make further investments in the coming months, according to Nahdi.

Holcim, which currently owns a 65 per cent stake in Bamburi, said the deal "advances Holcim's strategy of extending our leadership in our core markets as the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions."

"With Amsons Group, we are pleased to have found a strategic and trusted partner best positioned to develop Bamburi Cement PLC's business in the long term," said Holcim's Regional Head of Asia, Middle East and Africa, Martin Kriegner in the statement.

The proposed $180 million acquisition would mark a significant milestone for Amsons as it seeks to invest in one of Kenya's iconic blue-chip companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

Share this story
Mombasa rail to improve cargo and commuter transport
Travellers and residents of Mombasa have every reason to smile after the launch of Mombasa Commuter Rail Services which is expected to improve transport within the city’s logistics hubs.
Equipment firm eyes State projects as it marks 100 years
American construction, mining and other engineering equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has marked 100 years of its operation in Kenya.
Shylock economy: Broke and hungry, many Kenyans left to mercy of backstreet lenders
Harsh economic times, the high cost of living, and the denial of credit by banks to households and businesses have forced many Kenyans into backstreet borrowing.
Why Ruto's affordable housing numbers do not add up
Upon jetting back into the country from Ethiopia recently, President William Ruto, for the umpteenth time, defended the affordable housing programme (AHP).
Sanlam Kenya to change name to SanlamAllianz
Sanlam Kenya will hold a virtual Extra-Ordinary General Meeting on Thursday to seek shareholder approval for a formal name change to Sanlam Allianz Holdings (Kenya) PLC.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS